As expected, fire activity on the Swan Lake Fire (#181) burning on the northern Kenai Peninsula has increased in recent days as a result of unseasonably hot, dry weather. That trend will likely continue until a change in the weather. While most firefighting personnel have been released from the fire, the fire continues to put […]
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Swan Lake Fire perks up with hotter, drier weather but poses no threat
August 7, 2019 
Comments Off on Swan Lake Fire perks up with hotter, drier weather but poses no threat
State forestry battling small wildfire near Eagle River
August 5, 2019 Comments Off on State forestry battling small wildfire near Eagle River
Wildland firefighters from the Alaska Division of Forestry are responding to a small wildfire in Chugach State Park near the South Fork Eagle River Trailhead off Hiland Road. The South Fork Fire (#701) was reported at 12:50 a.m. on Monday as a 100-foot-by-100-foot creeping fire. An engine crew from the Mat-Su Area Forestry office in […]
Continue reading Shovel Creek Fire still putting up occasional smoke as firefighters continue patrols
July 31, 2019 Comments Off on Shovel Creek Fire still putting up occasional smoke as firefighters continue patrols
More than 20 firefighters are continuing to mop up and patrol the Shovel Creek Fire (#319). The 22,453-acre wildfire near Murphy Dome about 20 miles northwest of Fairbanks is 55 percent contained. The fire was started by lightning on June 21. Command of the fire was transferred from a Type 3 to a Type 4 […]
Continue readingAlaska State Fire Marshal lifts suspension on sale and use of fireworks
July 31, 2019 Comments Off on Alaska State Fire Marshal lifts suspension on sale and use of fireworks
The Alaska State Fire Marshal’s Office has lifted the suspension on the use and sale of fireworks in Alaska, effective on Monday, July 29. This decision was based on the current low to moderate wildfire danger as a result of wetter and cooler weather. The ban was put in place by the State Fire Marshal’s […]
Continue readingFairbanks Area Wildfire Update July 27: Rain helps calm fires
July 27, 2019 Comments Off on Fairbanks Area Wildfire Update July 27: Rain helps calm fires
Firefighters working to contain several wildfires in the Fairbanks Area got a helping hand from Mother Nature on Friday in the form of much-needed, widespread rain that helped subdue fire behavior. While the rain that fell overnight Thursday and much of Friday isn’t enough to be considered a “season-ending event,” it should assist firefighters who […]
Continue readingRain prevents growth on Rainbow 2 Fire northwest of Delta Junction
July 27, 2019 Comments Off on Rain prevents growth on Rainbow 2 Fire northwest of Delta Junction
Widespread rain helped prevent any significant growth Friday on the 18,750-acre Rainbow 2 Fire burning northwest of Delta Junction. While the rain helped moderate fire activity, it also hampered both aviation operations and crew effectiveness because of the cloudy, wet conditions. There are 64 personnel working on the fire to prevent it from spreading into […]
Continue readingRain helps firefighters working to contain Rainy Pass Fire
July 27, 2019 Comments Off on Rain helps firefighters working to contain Rainy Pass Fire
Firefighters on Saturday were continuing work to contain a remote wildfire northwest of Anchorage that is burning a mile from a historic hunting lodge that also serves as a checkpoint on the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Approximately 41 firefighters are on the ground mopping up the 96-acre Rainy Pass Fire (#671) that was started […]
Continue reading Nugget Creek Fire perks up with warmer, drier weather; State Parks reopens Granite Tors Trail
July 25, 2019 Comments Off on Nugget Creek Fire perks up with warmer, drier weather; State Parks reopens Granite Tors Trail
Fire personnel flew over the Nugget Creek Fire (#323) on Wednesday (July 24) and mapped the fire at 17,294 acres. Spread occurred primarily in the southeast corner of the fire with warmer temperatures over the last few days. Smoke from this fire and others may continue to impact the entire area today. Alaska State Parks […]
Continue reading Weather hinders efforts to get firefighters on ground at Rainy Pass Fire
July 24, 2019 Comments Off on Weather hinders efforts to get firefighters on ground at Rainy Pass Fire
The Alaska Division of Forestry is trying to mobilize more firefighters to help contain a remote wildfire northwest of Anchorage that is burning a mile from a historic hunting lodge that also serves as a checkpoint on the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. The Rainy Pass Fire (#664), which was started by lightning on Tuesday […]
Continue reading Wildfire near Rainy Pass prompts evacuation of remote lodge along Iditarod Trail
July 24, 2019 Comments Off on Wildfire near Rainy Pass prompts evacuation of remote lodge along Iditarod Trail
A remote wildfire northwest of Anchorage late Tuesday night prompted the evacuation of more than two dozen people from a historic hunting lodge that also serves as a checkpoint on the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. The Rainy Pass Fire (#664) was reported at 8:11 p.m. after a lightning strike started the fire near Rainy […]
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